Barossa @ Esplanade Mall

Tired of always meeting up with your friends at yet another Orchard Road eatery or at City Hall? This restaurant is somewhat off the beaten track, and it's not somewhere that everyone will have been to. It's name is Barossa, and is situated in Esplanade Mall. As a general guide, it's near the performance area that looks like a sailboat and is facing the sea. I had the luck of stumbling upon this place due to Visa's aggressive 1-for-1 lunch promotion and hence everything here was both good and cheap. The ambiance here was awesome for 2 reasons. Firstly, the sea breeze. Although not as strong as the breeze you would expect at East Coast Parkway, it was certainly decent and a welcome change from our air-conditioned enclaves. It also boasts a view of Marina Bay Sands and the buildings surrounding the bay. The second reason? The reception here sucks. It's not an understatement - Your mobile data and phone reception just dies here. Want to get away from work? This is the place your boss can't contact you. Your partner will definitely appreciate it, as you can have a meaningful and engaging conversation uninterrupted by smartphones, which is the norm today.

Barossa has Archipelago beers on tap, which goes well with the food in general. However, I don't really fancy having beers in the day so I usually stick to their coffee, which is documented below. On with the food!

Seafood Bisque

On the day that I actually bothered to document the soup I was having, it just so happened that they replaced the usual mushroom soup with Seafood Bisque. This soup is definitely not for everyone, as the seafood taste is VERY strong, and it might leave an unpleasant aftertaste for some. Love the breadsticks though. They soak up the soup well and are tasty even on their own.

Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Gourmet Beef Burger

I lost my picture of the Gourmet Burger, so we'll have to make do with this shot of the Fish and Chips. The beer batter is extremely evident which I found very enjoyable. The portion of fish is also large, considering that they were running a 1-for-1 promotion. Their fries were also chunky and fried well. There was a good variety of greens in the side salad, and the dressing complemented both the fries and the battered fish well. 

The most outstanding part of the Gourmet Beef Burger is probably their patty. Their sesame seed bun tastes like your regular commercial bun you can get at McDonalds, but their beef patty is certainly a class above. Although I wouldn't say its the best beef patty I've had, the quality of the beef was good and the beef patty was well done, not too raw and neither was it overcooked. The same fries accompanied the burger, but there wasn't really a side salad to speak of.

I like how their dishes were served on wooden boards which made it extremely classy. Be warned though! The baking paper that accompanies it does catch the wind so sometimes it's annoying, but top marks for presentation.

Blue Mussel Aglo Olio

Simple Spaghetti tossed in olive oil and cheese, accompanied by mussels. I was pleasantly surprised as the dish was much tastier than it looked. I was worried it would be bland, but that was not the case. The cheese was a nice addition, as was the garlic bits which made the dish more fragrant. The mussels were fresh and to my liking.

Branded Coffee! Heh. It costs just a $2 top up for this cup of goodness. While it isn't the strongest coffee around, it's very smooth and tastes like filtered coffee although it's pressured. The sugar cubes were yet another classy touch that I liked, and hot milk is served at the side even without a prior request for it. Overall doesn't have a super strong coffee taste, but does provide a nice "kick" for those (like me) who need caffeine to function. Or not to be so grumpy. Either way, this coffee is a nice add on if you're not having a beer.

Barossa serves good quality food, and it's certainly a nice place for lunch and dinner. At night the ambiance is fantastic, but the prices are not so accommodating. The lunch promotion is definitely worth it, although I am not entirely sure if they're still running it. That being said, they're usually victimised by the Singapore F1 Road Closures so I expect to see promotions by then, if not earlier, as their lunch-time can be fairly quiet without people from the nearby workplaces. They also serve an all-you-can-eat beef buffet, so that might be of some interest to those meat-lovers. I would certainly drop by for a beer by the bay if I was in the area at night as the ambiance is nice and the sea breeze really relaxes you and makes you feel like a towkay, if only for the time that you're there.

#01-11
Esplanade Mall
8 Raffles Avenue

Odeon Beef Noodle @ Food Republic Wisma Atria

Just a short post to promote my favourite beef noodle. Take note that this probably isn't the original because they have a whole slew of franchisees, but I find this to be one of the better ones. This is primarily for convenience as I am in Orchard much more than other places. This  costs $6 currently for the whole set including the beef soup with beef balls at Food Republic's Wisma outlet. I used to eat this when it was located at the basement of the current Scott's Square, years before their overhaul. What makes me like this version of beed noodles so much is its gravy. Sure, it's starchy, but just the right amount and is extremely flavourful. The beef soup is also AWESOME, but I would take it dry as the soup doesn't taste as good when you order their beef noodles in soup. The cook here is rather generous with the beef slices, which are well done. Like I mentioned earlier, this isn't the original so the sauces aren't as nice as I remember them to be, but they're better than average. Do give this a try the next time you're at Food Republic Wisma Atria

Expect to pay: $6 onwards

Toby's Estate @ Rodyk Street

It was definitely difficult to find Toby's Estate on my first visit and I had to resort to using my GPS although I had looked up the place a couple of times. One of the reasons was that it was on the far side of Clarke Quay, so I ended up trekking quite a distance to get here. However, despite all the fatigue, I found my visit here most fulfilling. Out of all the cafes I have visited thus far, I would have to say that Toby's Estate is my favourite by far when it comes to their coffee. Sadly, their location makes it rather inconvenient to get to, and hence I am unable to visit this place as much as I would like. I wouldn't go so far as to say that Toby's Estate is still a gem waiting to be discovered, but it's definitely a place for coffee lovers to make a pilgrimage to as I believe they serve the best coffee in Singapore. 

There is a large common table that is perhaps the centrepiece of the cafe, and this table is usually filled up during peak hours. Although some may find it slightly comfortable to be sitting in such close proximity to strangers, it is done with the hope that people can literally make conversation over coffee. The cafe is adequately bright for one to bring in a book to read and also for one to bring his or her Macbook for some work. The weather was rather hot on the day that I was there, otherwise, I might have been tempted to sit outside and enjoy the breeze. That being said, being able to enjoy the smell of freshly-ground coffee is something preferable to me.

As you can see in the picture below, they have a cake set which allows you to have any slice of cake paired with any of their drinks for the price of $10. Not sure if this is still on at the moment, but it's a good bargain for good quality coffee and a decent slice of cake. 

Toby's Estate coffees come in standard sizes, and I had the luxury of trying more than one drink (I came in for late brunch and stayed until tea-time). As you can see, the latte art here is pretty impressive, and the drinks are housed in clear glass for you to see the layers within the drink (not sure if its visible in the pictures below). Quite a few people can be spotted with a cuppa in hand and chilling, and I would definitely come back here JUST for their coffee, even if there was nothing else on offer.

Their food isn't too shabby either, although I had a bad experience with the poached eggs here. Mine were slightly overdone. Also, I felt that the dishes were a bit too dry and salty, but that's just my personal opinion. Their 2 best selling breakfasts - Eggs Royale and Toby's Breakfast are listed below for your viewing pleasure. 

Eggs Royale

Eggs Benedict - Poached eggs and smoked salmon with Hollandaise sauce on toast. I like that they made the effort to decorate the plate - very few cafes bother with that. The Eggs Royale looked so delicious I could barely wait to tuck in, but alas, pictures first. Heh. I would have liked the smoked salmon to be stronger flavoured, and I found the poached eggs overdone (like I said before) but it might have been a once-off incident. Oh did I mention that Toby's Estate uses white farm eggs so they certainly taste different.

Toby's Breakfast

Big Breakfast here we go again. Espresso bacon (something new here!), greens, cherry tomatoes, wild mushrooms, poached eggs and toast. Their bacon is seasoned with espresso so it's definitely unique! However, the flavour isn't incredibly strong to put off those who do not like the coffee taste so much. Think coffee pork ribs. The greens didn't come with dressing, which disappointed me. I would have preferred a light dressing. The wild mushrooms aren't to everyone's taste for sure, as we're used to having portobello mushrooms in breakfast sets. However, I laud them for daring to be different. The toast was normal, but I would say it was a couple notches above average.

A nice touch at cafes, water is served in glass bottles. However, it's slightly different here. Kudos to the management for purifying the water on site as part of their commitment to reducing carbon emissions and also eliminating waste, thereby saving energy. Water tasted purer than your normal dispenser water, and don't worry, it's free of charge.

The chocolate mousse cake and the oreo cheesecake were both decent, but I wouldn't say they were great. It's definitely challenging to provide all-round quality food that would satisfy everyone, but objectively I would have to say that their desserts are their weak points. The chocolate cake was a bit mild to my taste, and definitely too dry. This was fine when it was paired with the mocha I ordered of course, but still, hmm. The oreo cheesecake also had too little oreo flavour so I didn't enjoy it as much. It too, is rather dry, which spoilt it a little for me as I expected the texture of the cheesecake to be smoother. However, Both cakes are okay when taken with a drink.

Their mochas are one of the few mochas I've had where the coffee still has a more prominent flavour than the cocoa. There have been many instances where the drink becomes reduced to a drink that tastes like milo with a hint of coffee, but not here at Toby's. Like I said, I stand by the statement that they serve the best coffee in Singapore and hence their coffee still shines even when taken in such a way.

Look out for the quirky Alkaaf Bridge and you know you're on the right track to finding Toby's Estate. It's definitely a nice place to start your day, or to hang out in the afternoon. It has a really chill vibe and the place isn't too noisy. I reckon it'll be pretty romantic at night, with it being by the riverside. Toby's is definitely one of my favourite cafes overall at the moment, and tops my list for places to go for coffee. If you're a coffee enthusiast, you MUST COME here and give it a try. Having their food and cakes are optional, in my opinion. Like their coffee? They do sell their own blend, called the Rodyk blend so you can enjoy their coffee from the comfort from your home. Highly recommended!

Expect to pay: $5 for drinks, $20 with food.

#01-03/04
8 Rodyk Street

The Humble Loaf @ Katong Shopping Centre

Many people have the misconception that Penny University is the only cafe worth going to in the East. However, I've recently found a gem in one of the most unexpected places ever. Katong Shopping Centre primarily caters to people who are looking for domestic helpers as a large portion of the shops here are maid employment agencies. On a trip to try the famous Delicious Boneless Chicken Rice in the food court, I stumbled upon this modest-looking cafe. It's name? The Humble Loaf. There are only 3 tables for 2 inside this little shop, apart from the counter seats, and hence I felt abit paiseh to whip out my camera and take photos due to the intimate setting. Therefore, I'm using these pictures available on The Humble Loaf's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/thehumbleloaf?fref=ts) 

Picture taken from The Humble Loaf's Facebook Page

The Humble Loaf is best known for their baked goods, and they often sell out way before their closing hours. Despite being a small cafe in a rather ulu place, The Humble Loaf has a steady stream of regulars, or people coming into the store to enquire about their goods as well as to place orders. The cafe serves coffee from Highlander, which is decent enough. My personal favourite is the shoyu caramel latte, which has a distinct flavour of shoyu which makes it a quirky cuppa for me. They also serve tea as well, but their coffees are evidently more popular when I was observing the other guests. They also serve sandwiches and eggs, which are freshly made on the spot upon order. The pastries were also fairly cheap (I remember brownies going for the price of approximately $2.50) and change on a daily basis, depending on what the cafe decides to bake. 

Picture taken from The Humble Loaf's Facebook Page

Picture taken from The Humble Loaf's Facebook Page

Do pay them a visit while they're in the area, or do what many people do and take away their freshly baked loaves of brioche and other baked goodies. However, the place definitely cannot accommodate large groups of people so that's certainly a drawback, but it's always good to start small and be sustainable. 

Expect to pay: $5-10

#B1-92
Katong Shopping Centre
865 Mountbatten Road

UPDATE: Read my second post on the Humble Loaf here! With pictures too!
http://eatwheresia.blogspot.sg/2014/01/update-humble-loaf-katong-shopping.html

Group Therapy Cafe @ Katong V

Group Therapy Cafe Katong V is one of the newest additions to spring up in the east, making it much more accessible to fans without having to head down to their outlet at Duxton Road. Nestled in a relatively quiet corner of the mall, you would be forgiven for missing the cafe as the storefront doesn't really stand out. Then again, GTC believes in space AWAY from the daily grind, so it's nice that it's relatively quiet. However, I can't say that the cafe itself is relatively quiet as I have encountered quite a few families with young children which pretty much terrorise all the other patrons. That being said, it is no fault of theirs but do expect families here as it is strategically located to be near residential areas.

There are nice lounge chairs and a sofa inside the cafe as well to relax in if you're just there for your daily cuppa. If not, there is a free-seating concept and you can head on over to order and pay at the counter when you are done browsing the menu. There are numerous all-day breakfast items on offer, as well as sandwiches and some mains. The food and drinks here are decent, but definitely not the best around. 

Big Plate

Naming a dish does not get simpler. What you see is what you get, with multi-grain toast, back bacon, sauteed mushrooms, sausage and a side salad. Eggs can be poached or scrambled, and are usually served on the side. I didn't really agree with the eggs being served on the side as it kind of makes the main plate look a little empty. The multi-grain toast is decent and fresh, while the sausage is well-done. The mushrooms are average, and the bacon is salty in general. I do like the salad here mostly due to the sesame and garlic dressing which I find tasty, even if it might be from a bottle (hmm, sometimes it's better not to know and just enjoy the food).

The same dish served with brioche toast. I was disappointed, to be honest, at the thickness of the brioche toast. Tasted more like your regular white bread to me, and as you can see below, the picture doesn't do much to support the alternative to my statement. That being said, the toast was crisp enough for most people to enjoy. 

Poached eggs with salmon and gruyere on toast

For those who do not know, gruyere is a type of cheese, which I feel is a good and viable alternative to Hollandaise sauce that is so often seen with breakfast and toast dishes. The poached eggs are drenched with this sauce, and it goes well with the toast. The serving of smoked salmon is fairly generous in my opinion, but isn't of an exceptional quality. I believe you can get better quality and stronger-tasting smoked salmon from your local Cold Storage store. However, it was good enough to make me satisfied with this dish and I will definitely be choosing this over the Big Plate or their other breakfast offerings for the time being.

Their buttermilk pancakes come in a generally small serving size, and hence I did not order seeing it after seeing the people at the table next to me looking victimised by the small serving. However since it costs $12, I would say that is reasonable, bordering upon expensive, for the thin pancakes. Their drinks fare better though, and are served in cups and saucers of contrasting colours. This means that your cuppa looks sprightly when served to you, and it does brighten your day. Their drinks come in iced or hot versions, but since I personally prefer hot drinks, I only have photographs of the hot ones. I've seen quite a few people order this Iced Green Tea Latte, but it looks rather dilute based on its colour and consistency. It looks a bit too pale to satisfy the average Green Tea lover, and I would definitely stick to having my Green Tea Lattes as Starbucks.

Triple Shot Latte

From what I learned from the barista, their lattes are served with 2 shots of coffee. Personally, I like to add an additional shot to make it 3. The third shot greatly enhances the flavour and aroma of the coffee in my opinion. While the latte art isn't great, at least there is a show of some effort which I find to be satisfactory. After all, who really cares what is on the top of your drink when you're going to stir it in anyway. However, their drinks come in one size only, with the height of the cup being around 10cm if I remember correctly, or about the portion of a tall cup.

Mint Mocha

I tried this drink as I was feeling Christmasy at the time. Not sure whether it was a latte art gone wrong here, but as I mentioned before, it doesn't matter. The combination of mint and chocolate is one that has been tried-and-tested by many, so it's definitely safe to drink. If you have enjoyed drinks such as the Peppermint Mocha served at Starbucks, you'll find this comparable, but not markedly better. The chocolate used in this drink doesn't taste extraordinary, and the mint taste is slightly on a mild side, probably because the barista doesn't want to push the limits of this drink as not everyone appreciates a strong peppermint taste. This is a good alternative to the latte if you don't really want to taste your coffee.

GTC charges GST although there is no service charge, and hence the prices can vary a little from what you see on the menu. It's definitely a good place to meet up with friends as the seating space is adequate and the overall ambiance is very relaxed. The cakes and pastries look rather underwhelming and as such I haven't tried them yet. The location is also decent with cheap parking in the vicinity. It's also a good getaway from the crowds that throng Parkway Parade and its coffee branches, so I believe to be worth the walk across the overhead bridge and across the car park of Katong V. The food I would say is better than average, so I would come back for the food, just maybe not too often. The drink size may not suffice for a long conversation, but is a good size for your regular pick-me-up. Also a good place for families to stake out while the other members shop for groceries at the nearby Fairprice Finest. Do give it a try if you're in the East Coast Area.

Expect to pay: $15-25

#01-11
Katong V
30 East Coast Road

Wild Honey @ Scotts Square

When people talk about breakfast, brunch or cafes, the first place that comes to mind is always Wild Honey. Therefore I'm going to give this place a solid, wholesome review (: This is because I feel that they are one of the few places that dedicate their efforts into giving you, the customer, the best breakfast experience possible. Their all-day breakfast is available at both their outlets, at Scott's Square and Mandarin Gallery. However, there are certain menu items that are only available at either one of the two outlets, and there are occasional daily specials as well. Wild Honey is definitely a one-stop joint to experience breakfasts from all over the world, and they are particular about their presentation as well. Each picturesque dish is definitely instagram-worthy on its own, and looks even better on a DSLR or after some post-editing. Lastly, you are GUARANTEED a quality breakfast each time as they maintain high standards when preparing your food. 

Both cafes are generally vibrant and noisy, with the nondescript furniture at Mandarin Gallery giving it an extra homely feel. However, seating space between tables and at tables is rather tight, and it can get slightly uncomfortable in big groups. Carrying bulky items is definitely not a good idea as you're highly likely to bump into someone or something. However, it's definitely very cosy and good for a romantic date as the lighting is dim. If you're meeting a friend, however, I would definitely recommend you to go for their outlet at Scotts Square. For starters, the ceiling is much higher and the space is very much bigger. It still retains it's cosy feel but I find seating here much more comfortable (BACKRESTS!) as most of the chairs are spacious and for the ladies, you can place your bags behind you rather than on the floor. The service here is also great in general, although you can see that some staff are markedly more enthusiastic than their lacklustre counterparts. However, it can get a little hard to get the attention of the servers during peak hours (12pm-2pm) but other than that, no big issue. If you are queueing, be prepared to wait up to an hour to get your seat, especially on weekends.

The Wild Honey menu items are named after their country of origin, which really gives a straightforward, no-nonsense approach that I like, instead of giving names that are hard for the common man to grasp. 

Wild Honey Bread Basket

Such a pretty basket of bread! An assortment of bread that can be shared by up to 5 people, it's a good way to start the meal if you're hungry and can't wait for your mains to arrive. I would advise you to ask for sharing plates and try their different freshly-baked breads as each has its own individual taste and textures. Condiments include butter, chocolate sauce, raspberry jam and a zesty lemon jam.

Norwegian

Poached eggs on wheat toast, wrapped with Norwegian smoked salmon and grilled asparagus, topped off with Hollandaise sauce and salmon roe. This pretty much looks like the cousin to the European (pictured below later), but the Norwegian replaces ham with smoked salmon, which is a match made in heaven. Furthermore, the salmon roe bursts with flavour when you bite it, and really every bit of this dish tastest great. The eggs are poached perfectly and do not taste too rubbery (which often is the case) and I like to let the yolk ooze out onto the toast to make it more moist. A must-order for those who love salmon.

European

2 poached eggs on toast, wrapped with imported Italian ham and drizzled with Hollandaise sauce, topped with sauteed mushrooms. Although this is perhaps one of their other more ordinary offerings (the other being the English), the ham is seasoned well and has the right amount of saltiness to go well with the runny eggs. Similarly, I like to soak my toast in the yolk before eating it. The sauteed mushrooms are also tasty and it's one of the little things that make the European more special. I generally prefer Hollandaise sauce with salmon dishes, but it worked well with this one. 

English

Scrambled eggs, back bacon, pork sausage, baked beans, grilled vine-ripened tomato, breakfast potatoes and 2 slices of Wild Honey's signature brioche. As I mentioned in another post, I like to try the "big breakfast" that each restaurant has to offer, and although I have to say the English is good, it's definitely not one of Wild Honey's better dishes. This is no fault of theirs, but I feel that the wide range of other alternatives doesn't make this a first choice for many diners. That being said, the bacon and sausages are delicious. The breakfast potatoes are also well done, and the baked beans go well with the scrambled eggs on toast. I loved the vine-ripened tomato which was grilled to perfection, and it is extremely juicy. Vine-ripened tomatoes are certainly a class above your ordinary tomato or cherry tomatoes. Parents, feed your kids with this to start them on vegetables (: Wild Honey's brioche is probably the best around, but 2 slices of it might be too much for the conservative eater to finish. Do order this on your first visit to Wild Honey though, English breakfasts don't get much better.

Tunisian

I'm just going to lift the description off Wild Honey's website as I doubt I can do justice to this dish with my mediocre judgment of its ingredients. Sizzling pan of spicy shakshouka (tomato, red onion, pepper chilli), studded with Chorizo sausage, crowned with 2 fried eggs, signature brioche and Israeli salad. Sounds funky doesn't it. The Israeli salad is simple, with cucumbers and tomatoes inside but I don't find this exceptional. This is best eaten by just tucking into the stew directly, and dipping the brioche as and when you feel like it. I don't find this dish that spicy, and it's certainly edible for those who don't like spicy food. The Chorizo sausage, however, might be a put off for people who aren't a fan of sausages as it has a strong meat flavour, and tastes a bit like salami.

Spanish Hash

Diced Chorizo sausage, corned beef and potatoes, with poached eggs in Hollandaise sauce, and with ciabatta bread. I had this recently when I met up with a friend and I have to say I was a little envious of her Norwegian. The dish tastes great, but it can get a bit monotonous after eating corned beef and potatoes for the majority of the dish. I also wish that there was more Hollandaise sauce (despite my claim above that I prefer Hollandaise sauce with salmon). I think my main grouse was that by ordering this, I deprived myself from having my favourite brioche at Wild Honey. However that is my personal bias for the brioche, and looking back objectively, ciabatta was probably the better choice to match the dish. The bread was filling, and so was the rest of the dish. Definitely one for the big-eaters.

Boulevard St Michel

Baked Spinach Souffle, Savoury french toast with double-baked cheese, grilled back bacon, slowroasted vine-ripened tomatoes, and poached egg with cheese batter. My current favourite dish at the moment, due the assortment of flavours and colours that this dish offers. The spinach souffle is tasty, and is a good complement to the back bacon which is a little on the salty side. The spicy tomato chutney goes best with the Parmesan coated poached egg, as well as the souffle. The vine-ripened tomatoes, like its counterpart in the English, is extremely juicy and this juice explodes in your mouth when you bite it. The portion of the french toast is decent enough such that this dish is filling, but not to the point that you'll feel bloated. 

Breakfast Hangover Sandwich

Club sandwich with back bacon and scrambled eggs, served with breakfast potatoes. Don't feel like having one of Wild Honey's breakfast sets? This is a safe choice for most people, as you can't go wrong with bacon and scrambled eggs. The serving of breakfast potatoes is also substantial, and extremely well-seasoned. Your meal here is also well presented, and can be shared by 3 people for a light appetiser in place of the Bread Basket mentioned above.

Paris Valrhona Bittersweet Hot Chocolate

This is probably the best Hot Chocolate that I know of. Needs no introduction, just sweet hot chocolate that has just enough of the taste of bitter cocoa to keep true chocolate lovers satisfied. The marshmallow on the side is a nice touch, and it's super squishy. I wish I had more of them to go with my drink. On my must-order list each time unless I am in a desperate need of caffeine.

Macchiato

Wild Honey's coffee is perhaps it's weakest selling point, with the coffee being good, but not something to come back for. This is because it lacks a strong aroma and a unique taste that will make you come back wanting more. That being said, the macchiato was well prepared with the right level of milk and foam.

Cafe Mocha

Can't decide whether to have either the Paris Valrhona Bittersweet Chocolate or the macchiato? Why not both? Enter the Cafe Mocha, which is well-balanced between being a comfort drink for chocolate lovers and giving the caffeine kick that many people need to get their day going. However, I would still stick to the Bittersweet Chocolate if you really want a wholesome chocolate drink as the chocolate flavour is simply better without the caffeine.

Bostok

A weekend-only dessert, Wild Honey's signature brioche is dusted with almond flakes, icing sugar and jam. It's a simple, homely dish that is guaranteed to satisfy. Well, expect maybe for the price tag. For it's price, I would probably venture into Wild Honey's other dessert offerings in the future. This goes very well with the Bittersweet Chocolate though. 

Wild Honey is, and probably will continue to be my favourite breakfast/brunch in the near future. Although prices are bit on the high side, it's definitely worth saving up for (Eat biscuit lo!). Eating here is not merely a consumption of food, but the enjoyment of a beautiful breakfast experience. Do push the boundaries of your comfort zone and try new dishes each time as every dish is pretty much good, if not excellent. If you are going in larger groups, you should definitely make reservations at the Scotts Square outlet, where the Verandah is available for large groups. Furthermore, you can book the same Verandah, which overlooks Orchard Road, for private functions. Good for meet-ups, first dates, family meals, and even business meetings. If you haven't tried Wild Honey before, you're really missing out.

Expect to pay: $25-30

#03-01
Scotts Square
6 Scotts Square

#03-02
Mandarin Gallery
333A Orchard Road

Hawker Spotlight: Whitley Road Big Prawn Mee @ Old Airport Road Food Centre

Yet another gem in Old Airport Road Food Centre, Whitley Road Prawn Mee is yet another decorated stall that serves good quality food. I won't comment much on the noodles, which are your typical egg noodles that you would get from the market, but what's special about this stall is the prawn broth. The broth is sweet and flavourful, and not too oily or heavy. The prawns are average, but of a decent size. The prawns are also sliced in half to make it easier to eat, but that's also an excuse for a smaller serving of prawns. I usually order the $3 version which just comes with prawns when I come here every other week. The $5 version comes with the pork ribs, which I found to be average in terms of the portion they serve as well as the overall taste. For a better Pork Rib Prawn Mee, I would head on to Noo Cheng Adam Road Prawn Noodle in Zion Road Food Centre. However, I personally prefer the prawn broth here which I find to be richer.

Expect to pay: $3-5

#01-98
Old Airport Road Food Centre
51 Old Airport Road